by Felicia Nudo and Amanda Gray
Illustrated by Isabella Baquerizo
My name is Gilbert and I’m a gopher tortoise.
I might be small, but I serve a giant purpose.
I carry my shell on my back and
my underground home is called a burrow.
My burrow is so big
that I can share it with
hundreds of other animals.
Some of my friends are reptiles,
some are amphibians, some are insects,
and some are mammals.
I help the plants with the things they need.
I kick up dirt and spread their seeds.
If there is a fire, my burrow provides
me and my friends with safety.
But my home has been disappearing lately.
Humans want to build more houses and malls,
but they don’t seem to care about me and
my burrow buddies at all.
If my home is destroyed,
I won’t be able to share my burrow
or help the plants grow.
If my home is ruined,
where will my buddies and I go?
I’m thankful to have kind friends
like you protecting me.
Because of you, my buddies and I
can live peacefully!
About the Authors
Felicia Nudo and Amanda Gray are both Environmental Studies students at Florida Gulf Coast University. They
created this children’s book to align with their gopher tortoise lesson as part of a curriculum titled, “The Language of the
Earth” in which they designed for kindergarten and first grade students. The goal of creating the curriculum is to spark
students’ interest in the environment at a young age. Felicia and Amanda have successfully taught all 5 lessons of their
curriculum to the 4 classes of kindergarten students at Franklin Park Elementary School. They plan to continue their
environmental educational project in first grade classes during Franklin Park Elementary School’s summer program.
Nelson Mandela once said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. The
power of education extends beyond the development of skills we need for economic success. It can contribute to
nation-building and reconciliation.” Both Felicia and Amanda believe that one person can’t do everything, but everyone
can do something. They have set high expectations for their lessons and strive to serve as positive role models for their
community.
About the Illustrator
Isabella Baquerizo (Izzy) is an honor student at Florida Gulf Coast University. She is majoring in Art and minoring in
Education. After graduation, Izzy hopes to become an Art teacher, a professional illustrator, and an artist. She likes
reading, traveling, and learning new things. Izzy also enjoys oil painting, drawing, and is currently expanding her skills in
Illustrator.
This book would not have been possible without the support of
Franklin Park Elementary School, the Office
of Undergraduate Student Scholarship: FGCUScholars, and the
Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program.
Special thanks to all the community partners involved.